CRISIL DRIP: Stress is reducing in most crops as rains return in August

Overall, abundant rains have supported sowing activity

Rains have been abundant in most parts of the country even as we move towards the last week of August. June and July saw heavy downpour with some moderation towards the last two weeks. But rains caught up soon after, recording a slightly above  normal reading at 7 per cent over the long period average at the all-India level by August 21.

Region-wise, rains have been most profuse in the south, with four key states — Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh — seeing surplus, and other regions recording ‘normal’ rainfall. In the northwest, rains had turned mildly deficient